To think i'll have to keep this up forever...

[happyfrown]

is soul destroying!

has any one learnt to love exercise? do get me wrong I did love going to the gym on 'good' days yet days I wanted to do nothing but chill felt like torture at the gym!
been exercising since my first ds back in 2001. I feel like i've spent most of my adult life exercising. of course not solidly, i had breaks, 2 other pregnancies. but when I stop or lag the muscles sag, I gain weight. constantly feel I've got to watch my food.
its exhausting, its a constant thought. id love to relax not thinking i've got X,Y or Z exercise to do this week and trying to work it into my days

am I the only one? I do hope there's other people who feel the same!
im just having a rant whilst watching the kids tuck into a chocolate bar.

[Emphasise]

I think you need to build a social life around exercise if you're going to stick at it and enjoy it.

I have a large group of friends I met initially through running but this week with various of them I shall be going for 2 x 30 mile bike rides (with lunch) running twice with the club, going to parkrun which is very sociable and having a day out that incorporates a race.

Also through these people,I have been talked into doing (and training for) a triathlon and periodically done a wide variety of gym classes.

I also train on my own but it's the fun I have with these people that keeps me at it (and my competitive nature!)

The idea of training alone in the gym with no real aim leaves me cold

[Sirzy]

I agree with friendship groups helps a lot, last year I plucked up the courage to join some running groups and it has helped me a lot.

And the other important thing is to find the exercises you enjoy.

[BroomstickOfLove]

I was also going to say that the social side f things is what keeps me going back to exercise even when I'm feeling lazy. I go to Crossfit, and the regulars at my class are lovely and hanging out with them is a fun part of my day.

[Sirzy]

I also think on the social side agreeing to do it with someone else is a good motivator because you don't want to let others down. Last Sunday I would never have fun if I had been doing it alone!

[Cakecrumbsinmybra]

I'm exactly the same OP. Yes to building it into social stuff though - I don't have time to meet friends for coffee, but we go on walks together and I've taken up tennis, which I LOVE (sadly I'm shit at it, but never mind) and it burns loads of calories.

[KanyesVest]

I think if it's a group/class thing then yes, a nice bunch of people you get on with is important and found it very motivational with cross fit, but I would hate to run with other people.

I have to keep fitter & weight down because of a hip problem. It keeps me doing it but I resent having to, if that makes sense. I also hate how I feel when I'm not exercising, so that forces me out the door too.

But fundamentally, I'm built for comfort not for speed so exercise will never be second nature for me.

[ShowOfHands]

I can't exercise in front of other people and can't think of a worse way to socialise. I have to exercise for my physical and mental health and I do so daily. I don't love it but I do like rewards. So I push myself. Lift heavier, run further, look better. The single minded determination it takes is the only thing stopping me giving up. The reward us the feeling of achievement.

[Freshprincess]

The gym is dull, no wonder you're fed up of it.
Join a running or cycling group or do classes rather than solo gym stuff.

[Violetcharlotte]

What sort of thing do you do? I do classes at the gym - pliates, body balance, yoga, body combat, etc 4/5 times a week. I love the classes as they're high energy, fan music and you're over and done with in an hours. I feel like i've had a good work out, but I'm not wringing with sweat after or in agony for days!

I find the gym itself boring, I'm never really sure what to do! Running is not for me at all, or indeed anything that's outside! I did boot camps for a bit but found it all a bit aggressive!

[lljkk]

For me, classes would make my skin itch & gym would be mind-numbing. I always want to be outside. I'm terrified that other people will be horrified about how slow I am (I should be used to that reaction, but it's still not nice). See, we're all different? And we can change what we like, too. Maybe gym doesn't suit you any more.

[happyfrown]

years and years ago I did try going gym with friends (2 different friends over the time) one used to let me down on the day so ended up going alone. the other just wanted to walk on the treadmill and talk about her weeks trauma. so gave up relying on others and since went alone.

Ive never done street running/jogging. what if you cant keep up with the group? im pretty unfit regarding stamina. its something I might look into, do I just search for 'running group'
my 2 only friends aren't available. one is older and has lung disease the other works and is busy with family life.

i suppose i moan when i do moan when i don't hahaha! never pleased.

i did look for dance classes but the dance i like was only in London and in the evening. no childcare, non driver, no luck.

[Wtfdoicare]

I can't imagine not running every 2 days at least as long as I can keep it up. I rarely go with friends, mostly on my own, I find it gives me headspace and peace, and I love the feeling of pushing myself during and afterwards. I occasionally enter races, last year's was a half, and this is the exercise I know I'll stick at.

[Sirzy]

Some running clubs/groups do couch to 5k groups which could be a good starting point?

I do a "social run" each week which is either 5k or 10k muster run so nobody gets left behind which is good for slower runners like me!

If you google "running groups in x" then you should get something or look at "run together" they have details of groups too

[KanyesVest]

I love the headspace of running by myself. I listen to podcasts or audio books and if you so a programme like the couch to 5 k, it gives you targets to challenge yourself. Then you can join one of the threads on here and glory in your achievement best of both worlds, exercising as and when it suits you but support and chat about it too.

[happyfrown]

sorry miss some post while typing.

i don't need to loose weight, im pretty small but i need to maintain it. im trying to tone up so weights and strength training is mainly whats needed. but i do cardio and fat burning just cos im scare on gaining again.

[happyfrown]

wtfdoicare that's good, id love your determination.

forgot to add i haven't been gym since nov/dec due to health reasons. ive got a treadmill at home and follow vids on youtube.

[happyfrown]

i do like walking mind, i put my music on and just walk. although i know that alone aint going to tone my tush!

[lljkk]

could look into running clubs in your area. All sorts must exist in many areas.
I would just feel horribly scrutinised at a club, and then the hassle of getting there & back & waiting around... I can't hack all that. One of the coaches is a gal who yelled at my son yrs ago (unfairly imho, small town).
The group I ended up in is via work so 2 minutes to get to start, & I barely know any other people's names. Nice and anonymous :).

[Thumbcat]

Exercise is soul destroying. I'd give it up and do 5:2 instead.

[Hoolit]

Do google thisgirlcan, they have local running groups for beginners and they are a great way into running also I've joined a back to netball group and I love it!! I can't wait for my weekly fix.
I agree look to make it more social, I have gymed alone for a while and it was soul destroying. Like you I need it to be a way of life, now I've made a couple of like minded friends through fit classes and running they drag me out when I want to veg.

[happyfrown]

yes i definitely feel like id prefer to veg most days. after cleaning or running bout the last thing i want to do is fit exercise in.

i have respect for personal trainers!

[BroomstickOfLove]

I don't run, but Parkrun seems to have a good social feel.

What you need, though, is something that you would d even if it turned out to be slightly bad for you rather than good for health. Once you've found that sort of activity, you will keep it up because you will be doing it for the fun.

The secret of regular exercise isn't willpower and determination, but fun. Go to lots of taster sessions for different things and see which ones make you want to go back for more.

[happyfrown]

I would love to do dance as a form of exercise but most classes are in the evening. I have no child care. I might look up classes again and see what my luck brings.

[BroomstickOfLove]

It's worth looking things up. I used to go to a daytime street dance class with a crèche (which was basically the dance school owner and her daughter doing activities with the toddlers and cuddling the babies).

[OhtoblazeswithElvira]

It sounds like exercise is another chore for you. You need to do something that you enjoy and look forward to - then you won't mind doing it on top of everything else.

I exercise daily - enjoy the physical side but I am mainly hooked because it busts stress and makes me so much more mentally focused. I am a grumpy mess if I don't do it